Arsene Wenger is ready to open preliminary talks with
Theo Walcott over a new contract, as Arsenal get increasingly worried about the forward’s future.

Theo Walcott has just one-year left on his current contract (Picture: Getty)

The Gunners are desperate to hang onto England flyer Walcott, who has just 12 months left to run on his current deal, having seen a number of high profile players in similar positions walk out in recent years.

Arsenal have been subject to intense criticism from fans over contracts, with the likes of Mathieu Flamini, Samir Nasri and now skipper Robin van Persie all using their run down deals as tools to force big money moves elsewhere.

The club are now fearing that Walcott may do the same, with Chelsea, Liverpool, AC Milan and Juventus all weighing up potential moves to prise the quick-silver wideman away from the Emirates.

Theo Walcott signed for Arsenal in January 2006 (Picture: Graham Hughes)

Arsenal had pencilled in sit-down talks with Walcott just before the start of the season, but they have now been brought forward, while coach Wenger is due to speak to the player on the club’s pre-season trip to Asia on Saturday.

Walcott is currently on holiday, having featured for England at Euro 2012, but will return to training later this week, before heading off for friendlies in China and Malaysia with the Arsenal squad.

The trip is designed to help Arsenal spread their commercial relations across Asia, and Walcott is being used as a key marketing tool – something that is already very lucrative to the club.

However, while Walcott will be doing a lot for Arsenal this summer, Wenger knows he must do more for the player, who is keen to be given another opportunity to play up front.

It promises to be high on the agenda of topics when Wenger sits down with Walcott on the flight to Asia in a bid to convince him of the club’s ambition.